Man Of The West
Sadie Callahan
Signet, Apr 2010, $6.99
ISBN: 9780451229595

Fearing for herself but more for her ten years old daughter Danni, Jolie Jensen flees from her serial convict spouse Billy Dean, who is out of prison for the moment. She drives during a storm across the Lone Star State to her new position as a cook and kitchen manager on a Strayhorn ranch. Her plan is for the two Jensen females to hide safely there.

Jolie loves the feeling of serenity and waking up feeling safe; she also relishes how much her beloved Danni has blossomed with the positive attention the child receives. Willard County Sheriff Jake Strayhorn is very attracted to the mother and daughter, but his gut knows she is on the run from someone; probably Danni's father though she refuses to tell him. Jake vows to keep both safe when this beast arrives; as he is positive the day of reckoning is coming soon.

Man of the West is an entertaining contemporary Texas romance starring two strong lead protagonists and a solid support cast including the raging husband. The story line is character driven and though Danni is probably too precocious and adjusted after having Billy Dean in and out of her life, fans will enjoy this wonderful sequel to Lone Star Woman, which needs to be read first as several subplots continue the overarching tale of the Strayhorn family.

Harriet Klausner